Friday

Mar 28, 2014 at 2:00 AM

HAMPTON — Figuratively speaking Jeanine Hanson is often on the run.

HAMPTON — Figuratively speaking Jeanine Hanson is often on the run.

Hanson, who grew up in Hampton Falls and now lives in Hampton, travels for work as a wine sales representative. She is the mother of six children and now step-mother to two more after marrying Dennis Hanson last summer.

"When all 10 of us are in the house it can be pretty loud," Jeanine Hanson said with a laugh.

Literally, Jeanine Hanson is a runner. On Monday, April 18, when the 118th Boston Marathon begins in Hopkinton, Hanson will be starting her ninth career marathon and her third Boston Marathon.

"Obviously I run for fitness but I really enjoy running," Hanson said, noting she took up the sport in college. "I think it's kind of a good stress relief for me and also a good way to relax and process life. It really is. A lot of times I run alone. I live in a busy household and that hour alone is important some days."

In 2011 in her first Boston Marathon, Hanson (then Jeanine Werchniak and living in Hampton Falls) covered the course in a very competitive time of 3 hours, 25 minutes, 50 seconds, finishing 118th of 989 total female finishers in the 40-44 age group. More importantly to her, the time secured a qualified spot for the 2012 race.

Entering 2012, Hanson had the same plan — run under 3:45 to make sure she would have a qualified spot for the 2013 race.

But in 2012 the temperatures during the race soared into the mid-80s. When race organizers recognized the potential threat they offered an automatic pass into 2013 if runners wanted to skip the race. Hanson decided to run anyway.

When the race was over she was proud she had been able to cover the course without walking but her time of 4:01.33 was well off the qualifying standard.

Hanson tried to reach the 2013 qualifying time at the Quebec City Marathon later in the year. Again she picked the wrong day, with temperatures again in the 80s.

"It was a little better than my time in Boston but I couldn't get under my qualifying time in that heat," she said. "I just don't run well in the heat. It felt like such bad luck.

"And then the bombing happened."

Two bombs exploded 13 seconds and roughly 210 yards apart along Boylston Street on April 15, 2013, near the Boston Marathon finish line. The alleged terrorist attack killed three, injured more than 260 others and destroyed the joy and innocence of everyday people striving for personal triumph.

Instead of running, Hanson was working at a wine trade show in Boston. Her eldest son Andy Werchniak was on Governor's Academy's school-sanctioned senior-skip day in Boston.

"When I heard what was happening, my first thought was, 'Oh my God if I'd run, my son would have been right at the finish line,'" Hanson said. "He and his classmates were in Boston that day. They got baseball tickets and they were allowed to go to (the Red Sox) game and he probably would have wanted to come see me finish."

Instead, Andy Werchniak and the other Governor's students were on a bus leaving the city when the bombing occurred.

"Having run it a couple times, it's such an awesome experience, and then to see that happening, it was really upsetting," Hanson said. "I think all of us who had run it in the past felt something was robbed from us."

Hanson said she has no qualms about returning to Boston for this year's marathon, though she knows that feeling is not universal.

"I wanted to go back. I mean, definitely, for sure," Hanson said. "It was such an awful, stupid thing and I don't want anything to stop it. I have talked to people who have done it before who aren't running and also some of my friends who won't come down this year who have in the past, but not for me. Though I'm not sure I'd want my children there."

Hanson earned her way back to Boston's starting line by running the Sugarloaf Marathon, May 19, 2013 in 3:40:38, finishing third in her age group and 22nd in the 152-woman field.

While the name suggests running to the top of Maine's tallest ski peak, the course's primary two-mile ascent is up the access road to the base lodge, marking the 10-mile mark in the 26.2-mile course.

"Then it's downhill the whole way so it gives you some ability to pick up speed," Hanson said.

Hanson isn't quite sure what this year's marathon will hold for her, especially since a stress fracture in her foot curtailed serious training until early February. The raw winter conditions have been another hindrance.

She's hopeful she can get under the 3:45 qualifying time. If not, Hanson said she'll try another marathon later in the year to reach that goal time.

For her, returning to the Boston Marathon is important, especially this year.

"I think it's going to be a lot more emotional for everyone there," she said.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Newsletters

Advertise

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
seacoastonline.com ~ 111 New Hampshire Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service